Excellent display puts Stripes second
by Ayrton Galea - 29th September 2014
Birkirkara FC registered their second consecutive victory. Thanks to an excellent performance they inflicted the first defeat in the BOV Premier League on Mosta FC, with two second-half goals by Brazilian duo Ellinton Morais and Eliandro Gonzaga.
The Stripes might not have impressed much with their performances in the five matches played in the BOV Premier League, but yesterday evening they made a leap of improvement, to continue building momentum and moved to second place, three points behind Hibernians FC.
Led by their Brazilian-trio upfront, Birkirkara produced the best performance of the season. Gonzaga's runs tormented the Blues defence, continually supported by the strong Ellinton Morais and Rafael Ledesma who gave countless precise passes. The Stripes might have struggled at some moments, but after the break they created the best chances to score twice besides hitting the crossbar also twice.
With no less than four changes from the last 2-0 victory against Qormi, Mr. Paul Zammit fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation. Edmond Agius was named in first-eleven selection after completing his recovery. Rafael Ledesma regained a call to the starting XI, while Edward Herrera and Eliandro Gonzaga were back in the initial line-up after not being part of the squad in the previous match.
Justin Haber defended the posts while Matheus Bissi and Nikola Vukanac formed the central backs. With the absence of Ryan Camenzuli, Zach Muscat was preferred as a left back while Herrera was on the right. Agius and Fenech formed the central midfield while Morais and Scicluna patrolled the wings. Eliandro Gonzaga started as the only striker with Ledesma having his usual position behind the Birkirkara striker.
The First Half
The early moments were characterised by the clash between the foreign duo Matheus Bissi and Bojan Kaljevic. Bissi was shown a yellow card as early on as the second minute and just moments later, Bojan appealed for another foul by Bissi but the referee waved play on as there was no contact.
Birkirkara threatened to surge ahead on the tenth minute when they created their first opportunity of the match. Eliandro Gonzaga made fine footwork that troubled the Mosta defence before serving Paul Fenech but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Marcus Bernal.
A minute later, the combination of the Brazilian duo Gonzaga and Ledesma once again created some panic in the Blue's rearguard. Scicluna served Ledesma who found Gonzaga and with a back-heel pass sent Scicluna through but his shot was parried by Bernal.
Birkirkara were unlucky not to take the lead on the sixteenth minute. Edward Herrera made a good run on the right wing and delivered a cross-shot that smashed against the crossbar with the surprised Bernal beaten.
Despite exchanging lots of possession in the opening twenty minutes, Birkirkara continued to create the most dangerous scoring opportunities. On the twenty-third minute, Zach Muscat had his first-time strike ending wide, following a short clearance.
Close to the half-hour mark, Mosta created their most dangerous chance in the match. In a swift counter-attack, Daniel Mariano Bueno sprinted forward before serving Kurt Magro who had a powerful shot saved by Justin Haber in two attempts.
The Stripes could have concluded better on the thirty-sixth minute. Ledesma lobbed the ball over the Mosta defence, but Ellintion Morais fired over from a good position inside the box.
Birkirkara threatened again two minutes later when Ryan Scicluna tried his luck with a curling shot from outside the box but goalkeeper Bernal neutralised the danger.
Both teams failed to create any other notable action till the end of the first half and both beaded to their dressing room in a goal-less draw.
The Second Half
Mosta could have surged ahead just one minute after the break when Bojan Kaljevic was on the run to pick a threatening through-ball, but goalkeeper Justin Haber was alert enough to rush out and stop the danger.
The Stripes were left to curse their lack of luck for the second time on the day when they were denied by the crossbar again. It was a free-kick by Ledesma which saw Gonzaga heading towards Ryan Scicluna, whose thunderous strike smashed against the crossbar.
Birkirkara went close once again minute later. Edmond Agius had a powerful drive from outside the box blocked by Bornal. From the rebound, Gonzaga deflected the ball into the path of Morais who had a spectacular over-head kick ending wide by inches.
Mosta replied with a fine chance on the fifty-first minute when Mariano Bueno penetrated inside the box but his shot flew over from a good position.
On the fifty-fifth minute. Morais lobbed the ball over the Blues' defence, with Gonzaga sprinting forward and his shot was blocked. From just a few metres out, Ledesma had his rebound cleared off the line.
Birkirkara surged ahead on the sixty-first minute. Rafael Ledesma delivered a brilliant corner-kick, which Bissi sent in the path of Ellinton Morais who slammed the ball home from close-range.
The Mosta Coach effected his first substitution on the sixty-sixth minute when he withdrew Rodriguez Ekani for Matues Dos Santos.
Birkirkara continued to dictate matters and on the seventieth minute, Rafael Ledesma had a powerful low strike ending wide as the Brazilian forward continued to torment the Blues.
Mr. Paul Zammit was forced to effect his first substitution on the seventy-third minute when Ellinton Morais had to be replaced after sustaining an injury with Kurt Zammit taking his place.
In an isolated scoring opportunity for Mosta, Bojan Kaljevic had his low strike deflected into a corner kick on the seventy-third minute.
Birkirkara made them two ten minutes from time. Substitute Kurt Zammit made some excellent work to keep possession before serving Eliandro Gonzaga who sprinted past his marker and then lobbed to the surprise of the Mosta goalkeeper.
With two goals up and their minds at rest, the Birkirkara Coach made his second and third change. On the eighty-third minute, Rafael Ledesma who had a brilliant display was replaced by Leighton Grech while four minutes later, Antoine Borg replaced Eliandro Gonzaga.
With little remaining, wounded Mosta were unable to make any sort of reaction and Birkirkara easily kept their two goal lead to inflict the first defeat on the Blue sand register their second consecutive victory.
Rafael Ledesma was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Matheus Bissi, Nikola Vukanac, Edward Herrera, Edmond Agius, Paul Fenech, Ryan Scicluna, Rafael Ledesma (83' Leighton Grech), Ellinton Morais (73' Kurt Zammit), Eliandro Gonzaga (84' Antoine Borg).
MOSTA: Marcus Bernal, Tyrone Farrugia, Mano Micallef, Rodroguez Ekani (66' Matheus Dos Santos), Adrian Borg, Dyson Falzon (82' Karl Pulo), Ryan Grech, Kurt Magro, Daniel Mariano Bueno, Bojan Kaljevic (90' James Brincat), Nemanja Milovanovic.
Referee: Chris Lautier.
Asisstant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Thomas Debono.
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit.
Yellow Cards: 3' Matheus Bissi, 76' Eliandro Gonzaga (Birkirkara), Daniel Mariano Bueno, Bojan Kaljevic, Adrian Borg, Kurt Magro (Mosta).
Scorers: 61' Ellinton Morais, 80' Eliandro Gonzaga.
BOV Player of the Match: Rafael Ledesma (Birkirkara).
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